Schulz Won't Have To Stand Trial In Deadly Golf Club Impalement

MINNEAPOLIS — The man accused of killing a Minneapolis grocery store clerk by impaling him with a golf club will not have to stand trial after a judge found him mentally incompetent.

Taylor Schulz, 44, was charged in December with second-degree murder in the killing of 66-year-old Robert Skafte. The case against him is suspended.

"Dr. Kathryn Jameson, Psy.D., LP, ABPP, Psychological Services of Hennepin County District Court, opined that Defendant, due to mental illness or cognitive impairment, lacks the ability to rationally consult with counsel; or lacks the ability to understand the proceedings or participate in the defense," read a court order filed Tuesday.

"This opinion was uncontested by either party. Defendant is presently incompetent to stand trial."

The county will screen Schulz for a potential civil commitment. He remained in custody at the Hennepin County Jail, with bail at $1 million.

Read the full court order below:

Just before 1 p.m. on Dec. 8, first precinct officers responded to reports that an employee was stabbed at Oak Grove Grocery in the Loring Park neighborhood.

Inside the store, officers found Skafte behind the sales counter with a golf club impaled through his torso.

First responders treated Skafte at the scene before transporting him to the Hennepin County Medical Center, where he later died.

A witness approached officers at the scene and said a man ran into the apartment building across the street — Oak Grove Towers — with blood on his face and clothing, according to the criminal complaint. The man was identified as Schulz.

Officers went to Schulz's apartment unit on the 16th floor and knocked. Schulz yelled at officers to “go away” and refused to leave the apartment, according to the criminal complaint.

After a six-hour standoff involving negotiators, the Minneapolis Police Department SWAT team, a drone unit, and the bomb squad, Schulz was arrested.

Police found the clothing he wore during the killing, which he tried to clean with a bar of soap, investigators said. Officers also learned that Schulz had assaulted other residents of the Oak Grove Towers "on previous occasions," according to the criminal complaint.